Collapsible tube key



June 13, W39. h R. R. BENEDICT 2,162,295

' COLLAPSIBLE TUBE KEY Filed Nov. 20 1936 ROM E R. 6 EN ED 1 CT INVENTOR A T TORNE Y Patented June 13,1939

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to collapsible tubes and more particularly to keys for rolling collapsible tubes to remove their contents.

It has been the practice in the prior art to employ collapsible tubes as containers for various plastics or liquids such as tooth paste, paints, shaving creams, salves, polishes, etc. These containers are made of pliable or flexible metal alloy which ordinarily contains lead. One end is gen- 10 erally provided with a stiff neck forming an outlet, and the other end tapers to an edge. sure is generally placed on the body portion, collapsing it, and discharging the contents of the tube, Unless the tube is completely collapsed in 16 the rear or back of the contents there will be more or less back flow into the collapsed portion. In attempting to thereafter completely collapse such tube, the body. cracks or the sealed end is bursted open. And even when this does not occur, the go user is never able to completely collapse and exhaust the tube with his hands.

Some recognition of these problems exists in the prior art and attempts have previously been made to correct them. Randall, Patent Number 5 1,575,386, shows a key 2 3, in Figure 6, having a body portion forming a channel for the reception of the end of a collapsible tube and a key to rotate the key and roll the tube. Such a construction does not permit of a close or tight fit with 30 the tube, slips off of its end and will not initially roll the tube. In order to have it roll the tube, it is necessary to partly exhaust the tube by hand, and roll it one or so turns without any back pressure from the tube contents thereon. Some as recognition of this defect was observed and correcclosed in Randall unless compressed and made a part of the tube.

Again in Kinsey, 951,132, a slotted key for fitting over the end of the tube and for rolling it 50 is disclosed. However, before this key will catch and roll the tube, either part of the contents must i be removed by hand or the tube extended or lengthened as in Figure 2.

Applicant with a knowledge of all of these 68 defects in and objections to the prior art has for Presan object of his invention the provision of a key having an adjustable portion tightly engaging one end of a collapsible tube for initially turning it to exhaust the contents, and a handle for rotating the key.

Applicant has as a further object of his invention the provision of a key for exhausting a collapsible tube and which is disposed about the end thereof, and which has serrated or knurled tube engaging faces for seating in the tube to initially roll it, and a handle for rotating said Applicant has as another object of his invention the provision of a key having a resilient expansible portion disposed about the end of a collapsible tube and tightly gripping it to initially roll the tube as the handle of the key is rotated.

Applicant has as a still further object of his invention the provision oi. a key for exhausting collapsible tubes having a portion disposed about the end of the tube and a handle with an opening therein to hang or support the key or tube.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of a filled collapsible tube with one form of my in vention secured thereto. Figure 2 is a perspective of a collapsible tube partly rolled and supported through my improved key. Figure 3 is a perspective of a collapsible tube, partly rolled, by my improved key. Figure d is a plan view of a part of a collapsible tube with my invention thereon. Figure 5 is an elevation of a collapsible tube partly rolled. Figure 6 is a plan view of my improved key, in extended position. Figure '7 is a side view of the same key in closed or lapped position. Figure 8 isa plan view of the key of Figure '7. Figure 9 is a plan view of the key 01 Figure 8 from the opposite side of the key. Figure 10 is a front plan view of the key of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawing in detail, I designates the body of a collapsible tube tapering to an edge at one end, and having a conical shoulder 2 at the other end terminating in a neck 3 upon which is secured a cap 4. About the tapered end of the tube! is secured a key having mating portions 5, 6 with serrated or knurled faces which engage and seat in the material of the tapered end. In one form, when the portions 5, 6 are bent to face each other they form a slot through which the end of the tube is passed and these portions are clamped and held in tight engagement with the tube by passing the finger I through slot 8 in the tit 2 handle a- The finger 1 is then bent to lock it in position. The slot in the handle I of the key serves a dual function for it receives the finger 1 and it provides means for supporting the tube by I interlocking with a hook or other support II In another form of key overlapping portions I 6' of resilient or spring material tend to force them together. Their inner faces are serrated or knurled to seat in and lock the key to the end of a collapsible tube. The tube and key are packed separately but when ready for use the portions I, I are forced apart providing a space into which the tapered end of tube I is 1 inserted, and these portions are released to engage the tube rigidly seating itself in the outer walls of such tube, and preventing relative movement with respect thereto.

In its operation the key is secured to the end of the flexible tube in the manner indicated. If the finger I is on the portion 0, instead of the portion I. it is bent over the end of portion I and maintains the two .arms or portions I, i clamped about the tapered end of tube i. This may be done before the cap 4 has every been removed. The cap 4 is unscrewed or otherwise removed from neck 3, and the handle I is then rotated. As this is done the tube i is rolled because the serrated faces of the portions I, clamp the tube and will not permit relative movement. The clamping of the tube prevents egress of the contents from the tapered end, and the rolling collapses the tube and forces its contents out through neck I. As the tube'is rolled the contents are completely exhausted therefrom and its use results in great economy and saving,

for it is impossible to completely exhaust the The use of this form of key reduces the material necessary to make it, insures that the key will not release and slip oi! of the end of the tube, and permits the mounting of the key and its use on a nlled tube, making it unnecessary to exhaust a portion thereof by hand before using the key. Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A key of the character described comprising a body portion bent intermediate its ends-to form a pair of parallel arms for clamping the end of a collapsible tube, a handle for rotating said key, a slot in said handle, a finger on one of said arms and extending through said slot into engagement with the other of said arms to maintain them in tight engagement with said tube. 1

2. A key of the character described comprising a body portion bent intermediate its ends to form a pair of parallel arms for clamping the end of a collapsible tube, serrations on the inner faces of said arms, a handle for rotating said key, a slot in said handle, a finger on one of said arms and extending through said slot into engagement with the other of said arms to maintain' them in tight engagement with said tube.

3. A key of the character described comprising a'body bent back upon itself at an intermediate/portion to form a pair of mating parallel arms for. engagement with the walls of a collapsible tube, the bent portion of said body being of spring material for urging said arms into tight engagement with said tube, a handle secured to one of said arms and lying in the plane thereof for turning said key, and a slot in said handle for the reception of a supporting element.

4. A key of the character described comprising a body portion bent intermediate its ends to form a pair of mating parallel arms for engagement with the walls of a collapsible tube, serrations on the inner faces of said arms,.a handle for turning said key, a slot in said handle for the reception of a supporting element, and a finger ou one of said arms and extending through said slot into engagement with the other for maintaining said arms in tight engagement withthe tube.

' ROME R. BENEDICT. 

